There was a recent work that suggested the existence of bubble universes inside the bigger framework of the multiverse. The idea might sound distant, but the theme of bubble universe fits into a definition of life.

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Saturday, 28 November 2015

The proper study of mankind

An orb, a Newton and a Pope that features in the last part of Dan Brown's book, da Vinci Code, comes from this piece that remains very much relevant today. In addition to Plato and Newton, after Alexander Pope, we have Einstein and Internet to add to humanity but the void in the knowledge about ourself remains. While we build telescopes and space stations, we must also build more nano- and pico-scopes after the micro-scopes to study the structure. We should also think for new ways and dig deeper into ancient literature and revisit on the science of the mind. After all, what makes a man is not his body but his mind (this can be explained in so many ways, let a doctor answer).

A beautiful piece, The proper study of mankind by Alexander Pope.

The proper study of mankind

Know then thyself, presume not God to scanThe proper study of mankind is manPlaced on this isthmus of a middle stateA being darkly wise, and rudely greatWith too much knowledge for the sceptic sideWith too much weakness for the stoic’s prideHe hangs between, in doubt to act, or restIn doubt to deem himself a God, or BeastIn doubt his mind or body to preferBorn but to die, and reasoning but to errAlike in ignorance, his reason suchWhether he thinks too little, or too muchChaos of thought and passion, all confusedStill by himself abuse, or disabuseCreated half to rise, and half to fallGreat lord of all things, yet a prey to allSole judge of truth, in endless error hurledThe glory, jest, and riddle of the worldGo, wondrous creature!Mount where Science guidesGo, measure earth, weigh air and state the tidesInstruct the planets in what orbs to runCorrect old time, and regulate the sunGo, soar with Plato to the empyreal sphereTo the first good, first perfect, and first fairOr tread the mazy round his followers trodAnd quitting sense call imitating GodAs Eastern priests in giddy circles runAnd turn their heads to imitate the SunGo, teach Eternal Wisdom how to ruleThen drop into thyself, and be a foolSuperior being, when of late they sawA mortal man unfold all Nature’s lawAdmired such wisdom in an earthly shapeAnd showed a Newton as we show an ApeCould he, whose rules the rapid comet bindDescribe or fix one movement of his mindWho saw its fires here rise, and there descend,Explain his own beginning, or his end?Alas what wonder! Man’s superior partUnchecked may rise, and climb from art to artBut when his own great work is but begunWhat reason weaves, by passion is undoneTrace science then, with modesty thy guideFirst strip off all her equipage of prideDeduct what is but vanity, or dressOr learning’s luxury, or idlenessOr tricks to show the stretch of human brainMere curious pleasure, ingenious painExpunge the whole, or lop the excrescent partsOf all, our vices have created artsThen see how little the remaining sumWhich served the past, and must the times to come!